Digital design agency magneticNorth has collaborated with BBC R&D to create Maestro, an interactive installation that gives children the chance to conduct the BBC Philharmonic orchestra...

Maestro is part of the Music Boxes exhibition at MediaCityUK which is, in turn, part of the Manchester International Festival. Using Microsoft Kinect technology - which is similar to PlayStation's motion-sensing EyeToy technology - Maestro enables a player standing in front of a screen showing a fish eye lens view of the London Philharmonic orchestra to use their hands to control the tempo and dynamic of the orchestra, just like a conductor – as a number of kids demonstrate in this film:

BBC Philharmonic Maestro from mN on Vimeo.

The concept and initial prototype for Maestro was first created by the BBC's Research & Development team who partnered with magneticNorth to develop the user experience, design and technical solution. "This has been a fun project to work on," says Adam Todd, creative director of magneticNorth, "and has allowed us to continue our experiments into how we can interact with digital content. The Kinect allowed us to create something that children found natural to use, and as the complex technology at the core of Maestro is hidden away it makes the experience even more magical."

The Music Boxes exhibition for kids aged between six months and seven years is open for another two days at MediaCityUK in Salford Quays. More info at mif.co.uk/event/music-boxes